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Royal Dutch AirlinesSat, 25 May 2019 13:32:23 +0200en-UShourly1https://blog.klm.com/assets/uploads/2018/03/cropped-favicon-120x120.pngYourLittleBlackBook – KLM Bloghttps://blog.klm.com
32328 Must Do’s on Kingsday in Amsterdamhttps://blog.klm.com/8-must-dos-on-kingsday-in-amsterdam/
https://blog.klm.com/8-must-dos-on-kingsday-in-amsterdam/#commentsTue, 09 Apr 2019 08:20:04 +0000https://blog.klm.com/?p=13876Thinking about Kingsday always makes me smile spontaneously. It’s the festival in Amsterdam’s annual calendar of events. Of course, since things changed last year, we still need to get used to donning our orange outfits on 27 as opposed to 30 April. And we often mix up Queen’s… erm Kingsday when chatting to friends. Nonetheless, […]

]]>Thinking about Kingsday always makes me smile spontaneously. It’s the festival in Amsterdam’s annual calendar of events. Of course, since things changed last year, we still need to get used to donning our orange outfits on 27 as opposed to 30 April. And we often mix up Queen’s… erm Kingsday when chatting to friends. Nonetheless, these changes haven’t dampened the orange party spirit. On the contrary, I think Kingsday will become even more fun in the years to come. More contemporary, more for the younger generation, my generation!

Queensday was always my favourite celebration as a child. And let’s be honest: Amsterdam is the place to celebrate this Orange Extravaganza! I knew immediately that I wanted to live in Amsterdam the very first time I celebrated Queensday there. When I was younger, I enjoyed rummaging around looking for bargains or heading aimlessly through town.

Kingsday 2019

Amsterdam will be brimming with brilliant parties to celebrate the second Kingsday. From street-corner stages at local pubs to kids’ street markets and the Kingsday festivals with DJs into the early morning hours. As an expert on Amsterdam, I know exactly where you must be! So I’ve made a list of the best things for you to do in Amsterdam.

8 must-do’s for Kingday

1.Orange, orange!
Steal the show in your orange outfit! You’ll be the odd one out if you don’t wear an orange outfit on the 27th in Amsterdam ;-).

2.Festivals
Amsterdam will be brimming with festivals on Kingsday. The big parties will be outside the city centre and tickets have to be purchased in advance.

4.Treasure hunt
Kingsday provides you with an opportunity to find the best bargains at one of the many street markets throughout the city. You’ll find the best ones in the Vondelpark and at the NDSM shipyard. Another brilliant idea: sell your own goodies or homemade goods at one of the street markets!

5.Canalparties
Once you’ve celebrated Kingsday on a boat sailing through the canals you’ll be sold. Amsterdam is beautiful from the water and this applies tenfold on Kingsday! If you don’t have your own boat… The corner of the Prinsengracht and Amstelveld is one of the best places to enjoy all the orange boats from dry land!

6. Eat all the food!
Fancy yourself as a foodie? You’ll not be disappointed by all the stands with delicious snacks. Kingsday truly offers street food galore throughout Amsterdam.

7. Wanderlust Of course, you can spend Kingsday wandering around town. The festivities extend to every square and every street corner. The best streets and squares to enjoy Kingsday from include the Westerstraat and the Noordermarkt in the Jordaan and the Utrechtsestraat.

]]>https://blog.klm.com/8-must-dos-on-kingsday-in-amsterdam/feed/16Top 14 Tourist Traps In Amsterdam (And Where To Go Instead)https://blog.klm.com/top-14-tourist-traps-in-amsterdam-and-where-to-go-instead/
https://blog.klm.com/top-14-tourist-traps-in-amsterdam-and-where-to-go-instead/#commentsWed, 12 Jul 2017 14:02:15 +0000https://blog.klm.com/?p=19605On a first visit to a city, people always head straight for all the tourist highlights. In Amsterdam they queue en masse at Madame Tussauds, or walk through the red-light district, eyes popping out of their heads. But this city has so much more to offer than the overused paths around the centre’s hotspots. Below […]

]]>On a first visit to a city, people always head straight for all the tourist highlights. In Amsterdam they queue en masse at Madame Tussauds, or walk through the red-light district, eyes popping out of their heads. But this city has so much more to offer than the overused paths around the centre’s hotspots. Below is a list of Amsterdam’s best-avoided tourist traps with plenty of alternatives to make you visit special.

1. Cheese

I do love a good bit of cheese. But I never go to the commercial shops with big, round hunks of cheese in the window. I always buy my cheese at Fromagerie Abraham Kef. This small cheese shop offers personal service and lets you taste its wares. And there are cheese tastings on Sunday afternoons!

2. Clogs

Clogs should be avoided at all cost. Only farmers, roadmenders and gardeners wear clogs today, but never the kind sold to tourists. If you want to see the real Amsterdam, book a Street Art Tour through the neighbourhood Jordaan and learn a bit about its history.

3. Tourist attractions

Judging by the queues, Madame Tussauds, Body World Amsterdam and the Amsterdam Dungeon are among tourists’ favourite destinations in the city. But if you’re only in town for a few days, the Hendrikje Museum of Bags & Purses or Foam photography museum are much finer options. Top tip: The handbag museum also serves delicious high teas in a period room overlooking the canal.

4. Amsterdam squares

Amsterdam too busy? Well, it is if you go to Leidsesplein, Rembrandtplein or the Dam. These are squares locals prefer to avoid. You will find us at the Noordermarkt (especially on Mondays), Hugo de Grootplein or Beukenplein in the east. These are great little hotspots for a drink or bite to eat. A few that are really worth trying are Razmataz, Bukowski, Bar Brouw and Smokin’ Barrels.

5. Fancy a beer?

I would not advice you to hop on one of the beer bikes with your friends. The locals won’t appreciate it. You’ll be a nuisance to traffic and because getting drunk is actually the only thing you can do, you’ll miss all the beautiful details Amsterdam has to offer. Why not sipping beer on a terrace outside a small Amsterdam brewery? Oedipus Brewery and Brouwerij ’t IJ both serve excellent special beers and delicious bar snacks.

6. Souvenirs

If you’re looking for good souvenirs, you cannot rock up at home with Delftware and tulips. Go for something truly original made by an Amsterdam manufacturer. The Local Goods Market is held once a fortnight at De Hallen, or look for items by local designers in Spuistraat.

7. Canal Boat Tours

While you’re in Amsterdam, you must take a boat trip along the gorgeous canals. Skip the Canal Boat Tours and rent a boat yourself. Grab a picnic, sit back and enjoy! You could also take the free ferry across to Amsterdam North and let the wind blow away the cobwebs while you cross the river IJ.

8. Red-Light District

People don’t just go to the red-light district, or “De Wallen”, to look at the women in the windows. There are plenty of other things to see. At the heart of the district is Amsterdam’s oldest building, the Oude Kerk (Old Church), which has a lively programme of contemporary art exhibitions. Two restaurants worth a visit are Matahari and Anna. And nearby you can find excellent Southeast Asian cuisine in the city’s small Chinatown around Nieuwmarkt and Zeedijk.

9. Fake Museums

Are the Tulip Museum, Sex Museum or Vodka Museum on your list? Then let me save you the bother — these are simply shops you have to pay to go in to. Personally I prefer to go to real museums like the Rijksmuseum, Eye Film Institute, or Stedelijk Museum. Tip: If you go an hour after they open, you miss most of the queues! If you really want to drink vodka, why not go to a proper cocktail bar like Hiding in Plain Sight or Café Panache.

10. Eating out in the centre

There are plenty of great restaurants in the centre of Amsterdam — a lot more than you’ll find in Lange Leidsedwars- and Korte Leidsedwarsstraat near Leidseplein. Try Café de Paris or Terpentijn in Rokin, or Choux near Central Station. Alternatively, stroll towards Rozengracht and try Salmuera, Kessens, or Pressroom.

11. Markt

Albert Cuyp Market is perhaps Amsterdam’s most famous, but don’t forget all the other lovely markets! Shop for vintage items in the IJ-Hallen in the North, or buy quality food and delicatessen on the Neighbourhood Market at the Westergasterrein. Or browse for art, fashion and design at the Sunday Market.

12. The wrong kind of pub

You’ll know what I mean… You’ve just arrived in town and simply want to sit down and have a drink. The only place you can find quickly is the wrong kind of brown tourist pub. My tip is, take just a little bit longer and don’t settle on the first terrace you come across. Go where the locals go — Friday evening drinks at Waterkant, Hannekes Boom or Pllek, for instance.

13. Tourist discos

Fancy a dance? Avoid the tourist discos and clubs around Rembrandtplein and Leidseplein and go to a festival! The old shipyard NDSM is always a great venu. I recommend you keep 27 August and 3 September free for Vollt and Valtifest. The Amsterdam Woods Festival in the Amsterdamse Bos in the weekend of 26 August is also definitely worth checking out.

14. Volendam

Why would you go to Volendam, when a bike ride through Amsterdam North and Broek en Waterland takes you past picturesque houses and wonderful waterways. Another major plus: you won’t have to dress up in traditional costume and eat haring;).

Sounds familiar?

It’s quite possible you’ve read this before. We’ve posted this blog in August 2015. So this actually is a repost. But let’s be honest: you can never have enough cool touristy tips, right? ;-)

]]>https://blog.klm.com/top-14-tourist-traps-in-amsterdam-and-where-to-go-instead/feed/32The Best Bike Route From Amsterdam East to Westhttps://blog.klm.com/the-best-bike-route-from-amsterdam-east-to-west/
https://blog.klm.com/the-best-bike-route-from-amsterdam-east-to-west/#commentsWed, 09 Sep 2015 07:30:00 +0000https://blog.klm.com/?p=20277Anyone who sees Amsterdam for the first time will be amazed at all the bikes. We Dutchies don’t think of cycling as exercise. No, we use our bikes as a real form of transport. It’s fast, you get to see a lot of the city, and it’s healthy too. I’ve set out a bike route […]

]]>Anyone who sees Amsterdam for the first time will be amazed at all the bikes. We Dutchies don’t think of cycling as exercise. No, we use our bikes as a real form of transport. It’s fast, you get to see a lot of the city, and it’s healthy too. I’ve set out a bike route here that weaves its way through the city, through my favourite streets and past my favourite addresses.

To prepare:
• Hire a bike or borrow one from a local.
• A bottle of water is all you need. There are enough places along the way in which to eat.
• Use a map, or have a map app at the ready on your phone.

By the way, if walking is more your thing, this KLM Houses route might interest you.

Eastern starting line: Javastraat

Bedford Stuyvesant

Without a doubt, Javastraat is one of the hippest streets in East Amsterdam. One cool place after another is opening its doors there. Start your bike tour with a coffee at Bedford Stuyvesant, a charming coffee house that offers homemade pies.
Address: Javastraat 5, website

Hartje Oost

A few doors down from there on Javastraat is the concept store Hartje Oost. You can eat lunch and shop here all at the same time. I come here to find inspiration. The ladies at Hartje Oost have put together a collection of highly covetable objects, from clothing to household goods.
Address: Javastraat 23, website

De Biertuin

Over the past few years, Oosterpark (Eastern Park) has been rebuilt and beautified, and will reopen to the public on 26 September. One of the best sidewalk cafés looking out on the park is De Biertuin. Here you can try out real Amsterdam beers straight from the tap. In the evening it’s also a great place to enjoy an affordable meal. The chicken from the spit is delicious!
Address: Linnaeusstraat 29, website

Tropenmuseum

For those of you looking for something other than the standard museum experience, the Tropenmuseum (Amsterdam Museum of the Tropics) is worth recommending. The exhibitions are interesting and topical. In October there will be an exhibit about the sixties; I’m already looking forward to that.
Address: Linnaeusstraat 2, website

Boterham

For lunch in Amsterdam, Boterham is the place to be. This is a real hidden gem. Here you can find the best bread (boterham means a slice of bread in Dutch) with organic toppings. A glass of fresh orange juice alongside and your lunch is complete. Boterham also sells fun lifestyle items. I always come home with a fun card.
Address: Andreas Bonnstraat 2, website

Hutspot

From Amsterdam East, I cycle to the district called The Pipe (de Pijp). One of my favourite concept stores in this charming district, once a working class neighbourhood, now gentrifying, is Hutspot. It’s enormous and offers a wide variety of articles for men and women. When I was without an office, I came here often to work in the café up one floor. Hutspot has a bar that can get pretty busy later in the evening.
Address: Van Woustraat 4, website

Anna + Nina

You don’t often see as many remarkable items in one place as you do at Anna + Nina. I think it’s the perfect place for a gift when a friend is having a birthday. This shop on the very hip Gerard Doustraat is also great for children’s gifts. They also have the greatest lifestyle items.
Address: Gerard Doustraat 94, website

Brut de Mer

Seafood lovers must not miss the new bar Brut de Mer in De Pijp. You’ll find the most delicious oysters there accompanied by a glass of wine. It’s a great address at the end of the afternoon if you want to relax before you get on your bike again.
Address: Gerard Douplein 8, website

The Fragrance Store

The Fragrance Store is the most remarkable perfumery in Amsterdam. This boutique has only just opened and they sell fascinating scents that you will have trouble finding elsewhere. I recently bought one, produced in Berlin, for a friend. It makes a unique and personal gift.
Address: Gerard Doustraat 72, website

Good Genes

Did you know that Amsterdam is the denim capital of Europe? And one of the best places in town to buy it is Good Genes. It’s worth it just to go for a walk around the shop. Interesting to know: The tailors also create aprons and a variety of clothing for Amsterdam’s hipper hotels, restaurants and cafés.
Address: Albert Cuypstraat 33, website

Friday Next

At the bottom of Ferdinand Bolstraat, you can cycle over the bridge and turn left. Go down Stadhouderskade to the Overtoom in Amsterdam West. The Overtoom is a long shopping street where you can find just about everything. It runs parallel to Vondel Park. My first stop in this part of town is Friday Next. It’s a furnishings and lifestyle goods and lunchroom all under one roof. The homemade apple-pie is fabulous.
Address: Overtoom 31, website

Happyhappyjoyjoy

Asian food lovers mustn’t miss Happyhappyjoyjoy. Even if you only go for a drink and a bite to eat. The interior is, well, joyful. The food is delicious and they’ve got a bit of everything on the menu. From pad thai to dim sum.
Address: Bilderdijkstraat 158 HS, website

Jutka & Riska

You won’t believe your eyes when you set foot in this shop. From earrings to vintage bags and hats. The assortment is a unique mix of vintage pieces and new clothing from their own label. Nice to know: There is another outlet in the Haarlemmerstraat.
Address: Bilderdijkstraat 194, website

The Local Goods Weekend Market

From Bilderdijkstraat, I cycle on to De Hallen. The building is a former tram depot that has been transformed into an incubator for good food and creativity. At the weekend, there is almost always an inspiring market in De Hallen. At the Local Goods Weekend Market you can buy products all of which have been made or designed in Amsterdam. You’ll find the best souvenir here.
Address: Hannie Dankbaar Passage 33, website

De Foodhallen

After visiting the market, it’s time for drinks and dinner. And where better to do that than at the Foodhallen, the indoor food market which has only been open for a year. It has dozens of food stands where you can find the greatest snacks. Try to find yourself a place at the bar and wait your turn to get something good to eat.
Address: Bellamyplein 51, website

Tip: If you’re still in the mood for something fun after your drinks, go to the cinema near De Hallen.

]]>https://blog.klm.com/the-best-bike-route-from-amsterdam-east-to-west/feed/3The 7 Coolest Summer Spots in Amsterdamhttps://blog.klm.com/the-7-coolest-summer-spots-in-amsterdam/
https://blog.klm.com/the-7-coolest-summer-spots-in-amsterdam/#commentsSun, 19 Jul 2015 08:30:14 +0000https://blog.klm.com/?p=17796How do you enjoy great weather in Amsterdam best? Have a drink on a terrace, dust off the barbecue, or head to the beach? These are my favourite things to do when the sun is out in Amsterdam. My top 7 summer spots in Amsterdam. IJburg Beach “Blijburg” You don’t even have to leave the […]

]]>How do you enjoy great weather in Amsterdam best? Have a drink on a terrace, dust off the barbecue, or head to the beach? These are my favourite things to do when the sun is out in Amsterdam. My top 7 summer spots in Amsterdam.

IJburg Beach “Blijburg”

You don’t even have to leave the city to go to the beach. Less than half-an-hour bike ride from Amsterdam Central Station is IJburg, a new district built on an artificial island in the lake IJmeer. The beach Blijburg led a somewhat nomadic existence at first, shifting location four times in 12 years as the area developed. But this year it finally settled at a permanent site.

The perfect spot for swimming and sunbathing is near beach cafe Blijburg. Now the beach has come to rest, other cafes are popping up, like Klein Blijburg, a mini version of the original. The atmosphere is as fun and relaxed as ever!

Parks

There are parks all over Amsterdam where you can picnic and barbecue with friends. My favourites are the Vondelpark and Westerpark. Beautifully green with plenty of shade, when the sun gets too hot, and always full of life. These are two of the parks where you’re allowed to barbecue. The Vondelpark also has a huge fountain – great for cooling down!

Hotspots on the water

When the temperature turns tropical, Amsterdam has the perfect hotspots – especially on the water! In Amsterdam North there is Cafe de Ceuvel and Pllek, where you can chill and eat well. In the east, the cooly industrial city beach Roest is a big favourite. And in the city centre you mustn’t miss Waterkant, where you can savour Surinamese beer and snacks.

Boat trip

With the first sign of sun, Amsterdam seems to take to the water. There is nothing better than bobbing around the canals in a boat and sailing across the river IJ! Take a bottle of wine and some nibbles, or moor at Hannekes Boom cafe and soak up the summer. If you don’t know anyone with a boat, you can always rent one for a couple of hours!

Swimming pools

It’s all very well being on the water, but on a really hot summer’s day, it’s even better to be in it. The famous swimming pool Mirandabad has an outdoor pool throughout the summer. But, perhaps even better is the newly transformed, high-tech and beautifully lit Floraparkbad in the north. This pool is fabulous for swimming lengths, or simply just splashing about.

Terraces

From east to west, Amsterdam is full of terraces! Mossel & Gin, with its lovely garden, is the hidden gem of Amsterdam West. In the East, I love Bukowski, where the beer is always good and the menu brims with bar snacks. And if you’re in Amsterdam North, you mustn’t miss the terrace outside film museum EYE, with its wonderful view across the river to Central Station.

Rooftops

When it’s really hot, I like to take to the roofs to catch a breeze. The highest roof in Amsterdam is atop the Ramada Hotel. At 85 metres up, the 17th floor gives you a stunning view across the city. Alternatively, you can go to the fancy Sky Lounge at the Double Tree Hilton. The roof of the Volkshotel in Amsterdam East is always great – Canvas, on the 7th floor, is a guarantee for relaxed summer vibes.

Have you got a favourite summer spot in Amsterdam? I’d love to hear about it!

]]>https://blog.klm.com/the-7-coolest-summer-spots-in-amsterdam/feed/2The 24 Best Summer Festivals in Amsterdamhttps://blog.klm.com/the-24-best-summer-festivals-in-amsterdam/
https://blog.klm.com/the-24-best-summer-festivals-in-amsterdam/#commentsFri, 12 Jun 2015 07:30:08 +0000https://blog.klm.com/?p=16397Anne at Yourlittleblackbook is the best-known lifestyle and travel blogger in Amsterdam. She takes us through the best festivals in Amsterdam this summer. All through the summer, Amsterdam transforms into one big event— for young and old! I’ve been attending Lowlands—practically every year—since I was thirteen. I rarely skip the techno festivals. The Netherlands is […]

]]>Anne at Yourlittleblackbook is the best-known lifestyle and travel blogger in Amsterdam. She takes us through the best festivals in Amsterdam this summer.

All through the summer, Amsterdam transforms into one big event— for young and old!

I’ve been attending Lowlands—practically every year—since I was thirteen. I rarely skip the techno festivals. The Netherlands is famous for its great DJs. That’s why there are so many good dance festivals here.

And what could be more fun than taking away something from the local scene following a visit to Amsterdam? So here’s an overview of twenty-four festivals that you won’t want to miss this summer.

>>> July

Dance

Pitch: On 3 and 4 July we can go to Pitch at the Westergasfabriek (Western Gas Factory)! It’s an electronic festival complete with acts by artists from the Netherlands and abroad. http://pitchfestival.nl/ (Dutch only)

A Day At The Park: Are you partial to internationally famous DJs? Then you owe yourself a visit to A Day At The Park for a line-up of great names and fantastic décor. 11 July, Amsterdamse Bos (Amsterdam Forest). https://www.facebook.com/Adayatthepark (Dutch only)

Dekmantel Weekender. In conjunction with this two-day dance festival in the Amsterdamse Bos (the Amsterdam Forest), Dekmantel Weekender will open this year in the Muziekgebouw aan ’t IJ (Music Building on the IJ). And, as if that weren’t enough, the festival will continue for three nights in the Melkweg theatre. 30 July to 2 August. http://www.dekmantelfestival.com/

Gay Pride: The annual Gay Pride is a party for the entire city. The highlight is the boat parade through the city’s canals on the Saturday. 25 July to 2 August at a variety of locations. http://www.amsterdamgaypride.nl/

Family

Artis ZOOmeravonden (Summer Evenings at Amsterdam Zoo): Every Saturday from June to August you can hear live performances at Artis—Amsterdam Zoo—as the sun sets. Learn about the nocturnal rituals of the animals and take the special tour! Every Saturday. http://www.artis.nl/bezoekersinfo/zoomeravonden

Food

TREK Food Truck Festival: In the weekend of 17 July, Amsterdam’s Amstel Park will transform magically into a grand open-air restaurant. You can sample a variety of snacks at the food trucks, listen to live music, and watch theatre. 17 to 19 July, Amstel Park. http://www.festival-trek.nl/ (Dutch only)

>>> August

Dance

Loveland Festival: It’s not just the impressive line-up that draws people to this festival. The décor is also something to behold. This is a place to envelop yourself in summer vibes! 8 August, Sloterpark. http://loveland.nl/

Shoeless: It’s a bit of a bike ride. Or you can take the bus headed for IJmuiden, but the parties at Ruigoord are always great. 15 and 16 August, Ruigoord, http://shoeless.nl/ (Dutch only)

Lowlands: This is arguably the best-known multiple-day festival in the Netherlands. Three days of bands, DJs, and camping. My tent is ready to go! 21-25 August, Biddinghuizen. http://lowlands.nl/

Amsterdam Woods Festival: A new festival, small in scale, with live performances, music documentaries, and semi-acoustic performances.28 to 30 August, Amsterdamse Bos (Amsterdam Forest). https://www.facebook.com/AmsterdamWoodsFestival/

Mysteryland: One of the world’s largest outdoor festivals, with electro, urban, hardstyle, dance, house, hip hop, and trance music. This year with a weekend festival. 29 and 30 August, Haarlemmermeer, www.mysteryland.nl/en/

Culture

The Parade, Amsterdam: This year, The Parade will celebrate its twenty-fifth anniversary. The programme includes a wide variety of theatre, dance, mime, and musical performances. You can also go there for a ride on the flying carrousel or dance in the silent disco. 7 to 23 August, Martin Luther King Park. http://www.deparade.nl/info/parade/

Uitmarkt: An annual event including a varied programme of performing arts, film, theatre, new media, and literary performance. 28-30 August at a variety of locations around Amsterdam. http://www.uitmarkt.nl/english

Magneet Festival: At the end of August we can all go to the Magneet Festival in Amsterdam East. Two weekends filled with music, theatre, architecture, and art. A fun festival for the entire family. 22 to 24 august and 29 to 31 August. http://www.magneetfestival.nl/en

Family

Sail Amsterdam: Watch the most beautiful sailing ships in Amsterdam Harbour. Be sure to get a good spot along the harbour (het IJ) to catch this grand spectacle. 19 to 23 August, at a variety of locations. https://www.sail.nl/en-2015

Unseen: Do you enjoy photography? Then you should see the Photography Fair Unseen! 18 August to 20 September, Westergasfabriek (Western Gas Factory). http://www.unseenamsterdam.com/

>>> September

Dance

Valtifest: For a good dressing-up party, you should go to the Valtifest. It’s a crazy and atmospheric party on the NDSM Wharf in Amsterdam North. Don’t wait too long to buy your tickets. 5 September. NDSM Wharf in Amsterdam North. http://www.valtifest.nl/ (Dutch only)

Food

Bacchus Wine Festival: Wine lovers, note this one down in your diary! In the first weekend in September, you can taste some of the best wines in the Amsterdam Forest (Amsterdamse Bos). 4 to 6 September, Amsterdamse Bos (Amsterdam Forest). http://www.bacchuswijnfestival.nl/ (Dutch only)

Bier West Festival: A new craft beer festival in Amsterdam West! Here, you can drink beers from microbreweries while you eat barbecue and listen to live music. 20 September, Erasmus Park. http://bierfestival.amsterdam/ (Dutch only)

Tip: Reserve your festival tickets online. These festival sell out quickly! Should it already be sold out, you can still try to get a ticket through Ticketswap.

]]>https://blog.klm.com/the-24-best-summer-festivals-in-amsterdam/feed/610 Must-Visit Eateries in Amsterdamhttps://blog.klm.com/10-must-visit-eateries-in-amsterdam/
https://blog.klm.com/10-must-visit-eateries-in-amsterdam/#commentsMon, 25 May 2015 07:30:37 +0000https://blog.klm.com/?p=15237Anne at Yourlittleblackbook is the best-known lifestyle and travel blogger in Amsterdam. She takes you around to the best and newest restaurants in a variety of the city’s neighbourhoods. Here’s her Top 10 of eateries in Amsterdam. Because of my blog, there isn’t a week that goes by when I don’t visit a new restaurant. […]

]]>Anne at Yourlittleblackbook is the best-known lifestyle and travel blogger in Amsterdam. She takes you around to the best and newest restaurants in a variety of the city’s neighbourhoods. Here’s her Top 10 of eateries in Amsterdam.

Because of my blog, there isn’t a week that goes by when I don’t visit a new restaurant. The Amsterdam food scene never stops and that’s easy to see in all the new and wonderful restaurants that have opened in recent months. So it’s time to make a list of my Top Ten new restaurants that everyone in Amsterdam should get to know.

[tweet text=”If you’re just arriving, get out your phone—reservations are an absolute must.”]

The Roast Room

It can be a challenge to find a good place to eat anywhere near the RAI exposition centre. Fortunately The Roast Room opened there just a few weeks ago. Downstairs, there’s the charming, informal Roast Bar. Upstairs there’s the more stylish Rotisserie. To make it more interesting, all of the meat comes from their own artisanal butcher.

Eetbar Wilde Zwijnen

Restaurant Wilde Zwijnen (Wild Boars) in Amsterdam East has been fully booked for five years. So it’s good news that you can now go for a drink at its little brother, Eetbar Wilde Zwijnen (The Wild Board Dining Bar). It’s a hidden gem close to the trendy Javastraat where you can find the best Mediterranean food.

Panache

Amsterdam West is hot! And the newest hotspot for delicious food is Panache. It has a fascinating, industrial interior and a menu filled with dishes perfect for sharing around the whole table. Nice to know: The restaurant is hidden in the former market storage area for the Ten Kate open air market.

Nevel

With all its canals, central Amsterdam is a natural for outdoor dining by the waterside. Nevel (Mist) gives you a fantastic view over Amsterdam Harbour and the NDSM Wharf. Here, Chef Ricardo van Ede uses high-quality ingredients to cook high-quality dishes. Tip: The restaurant features a Sunday Brunch with a real Sunday Roast.

Brasserie Frans

When you eat at Brasserie Frans, you can quickly come to believe that you’re in Paris and not in Amsterdam. This is a great addition to Amsterdam’s restaurant district, De Pijp. And, when the weather is warm, they have plenty of outdoor seating. If you’re a lover of classic French food and good wines, then you really mustn’t miss this new hotspot during your visit to Amsterdam.

Toscanini

As far as I can see, all of Amsterdam is unanimous about this one. Toscanini is the best Italian restaurant in town. It’s the genuine article. Don’t expect to find pizza on the menu. Toscanini is located in a charming part of town called De Jordaan. It’s a little village right in the middle of town. If you like, you can let the chef surprise you with his latest menu.

Canvas op de 7e

Picture this: How about dinner on a rooftop with a view across all of Amsterdam? You can do that at Canvas op de 7e (Canvas on the 7th), the restaurant in the extremely hip Volkshotel in Amsterdam East. On the rooftop at Canvas, you can eat a delicious and extremely affordable meal on picnic tables. Just make sure you get there on time when the weather’s nice, so you get the best view at sunset.

Ellis Gourmet Burger

There’s always room for a well-timed hamburger—certainly if the one you’re eating gives you a view of the beautiful Prinsengracht. Ellis Gourmet Burger has so many variations on the menu that there’s always something for everyone—from vegetarian to a classic beef burger, and everything in between. Tip: Have one of their wonderful milkshakes for dessert.

Restaurant Blauw

On my blog, I often get asked about where to find the best Indonesian food in Amsterdam. There are lots of good places in Amsterdam. But, very often, the ambiance is less wonderful. In my opinion, Restaurant Blauw offers good food and enjoyable Indonesian evening—delicious rijsttafels in charming surroundings.

De Foodhallen

Last year, Amsterdam finally became home to its first indoor food market. The Foodhallen (Food Halls) in Amsterdam West are extremely popular among the locals and tourists alike. Have a drink with friends and a different bite to eat at each stand—from Vietnamese to hamburgers to the most delicious raclette. There’s something for everyone at De Foodhallen.

Oriental City

Dim Sum is extremely popular in Amsterdam. My favourite address for Dim Sum is Oriental City at the heart of Amsterdam’s centre, near Dam Square. You can eat Dim Sum here all afternoon. Don’t let the interior decorating scare you away. This is a place to come for the food. Tip: When you’ve finished, make your way over to the World Press Photo exhibition on Dam Square, open until 5 July.